Mixed Media workshop covering a broad range of media and subject matter with an emphasis on exciting texture effects

Chinese Brush Painting.

  Chinese Brush Painting

 East Anglia Landscapes in Pastel

This course follows Steve's front page pastel article in the 2019 September issue of The Artist magazine and is aimed at painters who have started, or wish to start, painting in this exciting and vibrant medium.

On each of the four days of this studio based workshop Steve will demonstrate a typical coastal or countryside scene, followed by course members having the opportunity to work in the pastel medium.

Drawn to Botany

John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain’s best-known watercolourists through his instructional DVDs made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain’s artists at the 2nd Qingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the, (very popular), use of
pen-and-ink and wash.

Images of Dedham. Not only Constable painted this lovely part of Britain, but you too can capture its beautiful landscape of wonderful trees, rivers and fine buildings. We shall concentrate on flowers, foliage, and many other subjects, hoping that there will be fun for everyone.

Paul will be using pen, line and wash in buildings and sketchbooks, and Wendy will be using watercolours, acrylics and mixed media.  We will be working in the studio, and outside. Also there will be the introduction of “Taking Risks”. This will show the use of monoprinting, collage and coloured inks and Brusho paints…taking you away from your comfort zone! A materials list will follow on later.   Wendy has written 39 art books and made 12 art dvds. Paul is a registered Architect.

Be brave and have fun with watercolour. In this workshop students will work with the tutor to articulate their own vision and particular challenges. The intention is to meet each individual exactly where they are and to support them in the production of work in the classroom that expands their practice in a personal way. The format will lean heavily in individual instruction and will also include lecture and discussion and demonstrations of particular techniques. A step by step process will begin with a fast foundation painting and will end with final approach options that are easy to learn and thought provoking. Unearth fresh and honest art inside yourself and learn to capture it with paint. Herman will teach you to find originality in your own work. Learn to get started with new ideas in a way which is fun and fast. You will learn about colour mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, thickness and edges to create and impressionist painting you never thought possible with watercolour. We will be exploring landscapes, seascapes and streetscapes focusing on various techniques. Expect to be challenged, to be brave and to have fun. Students are encouraged to bring their own images (no other artists) to work from and previous work for Herman's appraisal.

#(see booking form)

Watercolour  with Passion

My approach to watercolour is lively and entertaining, de-mystifying the medium and dispelling the fear of white paper. We will paint with freedom and spontaneity, with the emphasis on tone (or value) to make your paintings burst with light. The course is suitable for all abilities, although some experience with watercolour is preferred.

We will explore this beautiful location and paint en plein air whenever possible, with a daily demonstration showing you techniques and approaches to set you on your way.  You are then assured of plenty of guidance with your own work.

Painting Plein Air and capturing the scene in under 2 1/2 hours and producing a painterly and impressionistic painting. Advice will be given on how to select the scene, looking for composition and how to provide the essence of the subject. Also advice will be given on equipment, colour mixing, paint application and the use of brush and palette knife, how to use a pochard box for quick colour sketches and how to travel with a minimum of equipment. Painting outside in oils but bring photographic references in case of bad weather.

 There seems to be a never-ending quest to loosen up in watercolor.  I hear from my students all the time.  It's easy to fall into the trap of putting too much into your paintings and editing out the non-essential whether working from photo reference or painting on location is so important.

Painting loosely doesn't just 'happen', it comes from gaining a comfort level with your skills and materials over time. However there are techniques that can speed up this process.

My workshop will focus on using value studies from the outset to identify the large shapes in a scene.  These large shapes provide the artist with opportunities for lost edges when painting in watercolor, which is essential if we are to take full advantage of the medium. Too often the 'found edges', or details take over the painter's thinking process and the result is a tight watercolour.

We will move on toward color paintings with a lot of individual help and complete a color painting lesson together.  Demonstration paintings will be done by Andy every day to reinforce the day's lessons.

In order to loosen up it is imperative to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish with your painting and then execute it quickly.  This class will give you the tools and confidence to do just that.

There will be four full days of painting from Monday to Thursday inclusive.

Taking our inspiration from the landscape of “Constable Country” and the local coast, Chris’s friendly and informative tuition will take you from monochrome and watercolour sketches, and photos, done on location to finished mixed-media and acrylic paintings in the studio. Guidance will be given on maximising the sketching and information gathering process, colour, composition and guides to mixed media approaches and techniques.

East Anglia - Coast and Country - Watercolour

During the course, Ian will guide you through the entire process of producing better watercolour paintings.  He will show you how to improve the initial drawing of your scene, demonstrate the importance of composition and design, perspective, and how to use colour and tone to give your paintings narrative, atmosphere and impact. Students will be painting en plein air weather permitting, and also working in the studio. Subjects will range from local scenes to anything of interest using photographic references. Working with Ian will provide you with the foundations you need to continue improving your paintings at your own pace.

Drawn to Botany

Explore exciting ways of combining the water-based (watercolour and acrylic) media with drawing media on paper, canvas and textured surfaces. This is a studio based course using the grounds of Dedham Hall, the village of Dedham and The River Stour as our inspiration. Some painting experience is required and an open mind is essential.

  East Anglia landscapes in Acrylic

This course is for anyone who has tried watercolour and been disappointed with their painting. Teaching will be by watching demonstrations, but you will also receive individual guidance according to your experience. The emphasis will be on painting fresh, lively watercolours in a simple, straightforward way – tricks and shortcut gimmicks are not a feature of this course. The aim is to capture the essence of the scene and preserve the elusive properties of watercolour which many of us find attractive.

 Chinese Brush Painting

John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain’s best-known watercolourists through his instructional DVDs made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain’s artists at the 2nd Qingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the, (very popular), use of
pen-and-ink and wash.

Anne Barnham

The aim of this course is to encourage confidence in watercolour through understanding techniques that apply to this exciting and wonderful medium. We will work in the studio and also surrounding areas according to the weather and there will be demonstrations in the evenings.  The course will be fairly intense with many light-hearted moments.

Keith Hornblower  October 3rd - 10th

Watercolour  with Passion

My approach to watercolour is lively and entertaining, de-mystifying the medium and dispelling the fear of white paper. We will paint with freedom and spontaneity, with the emphasis on tone (or value) to make your paintings burst with light. The course is suitable for all abilities, although some experience with watercolour is preferred.

We will explore this beautiful location and paint en plein air whenever possible, with a daily demonstration showing you techniques and approaches to set you on your way.  You are then assured of plenty of guidance with your own work.

Chinese Brush Painting

Studio works in Oil working from photos and developing up pictures from smaller studies with a possibility of working from Still Life or Portrait.  Covering all oil techniques.

A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium.  We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic-composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme.  This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.

Portraiture, own choice of medium

Carole is a popular and experienced tutor who will help to demystify the process of portrait painting for you. We start with a “warm up” day to improve observation and drawing skills, studying proportions, structure, the features, getting a likeness and skin tones.

On subsequent days we will be working from models, starting with several short poses before going on to paint or draw a longer pose in watercolour, pastel or acrylics – your choice. At the end of each day there will be an appraisal to evaluate the day’s work.